This week, New Hampshire’s state legislators looked at a variety energy and environment bills. There was one that would encourage state agencies transition to electric vehicles and another that would address air pollution from PFAS. Here’s what’s happening:
Energy
State fossil fuel reductions
A BillThe Senate unanimously approved the bill to reduce fossil fuel emissions at state facilities and encourage state agencies to use electric vehicles. It would have the state lease or purchase zero-emission vehicles, like electric cars for all new vehicles, as soon it is possible and cost-effective. It would also require the state agencies to create a plan to convert existing vehicles to lower emission models or none at all, and that the states fleet manager design charging stations for state-owned electric vehicles. Next, the bill is sent to Finance Committee.
Local fuel rules
The House passed a BillThis would make it illegal for municipalities to restrict the types of fuels that can be used to generate energy. Rep. Kat McGhee (D-Hollis) stated in the session that the bill could hamper efforts in towns with climate action plans, move towards cleaner energy, and create uncertainty in the clean energy sector. Doug Thomas, R-Londonderry said that it was the responsibility of the Site Evaluation Committee, to decide fuel matters.
Solar recycling
The House of Representatives voted in favor BillThe legislation would require the Department of Environmental Services to develop guidelines for an end-of life program for solar panels. Solar installers would be responsible for financing the recycling. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Fred Plett (R-Goffstown), who also introduced it. He is concerned about the potential problems that the panels could cause at the end. Others are concerned that the legislation will place undued burdens on the state’s nascent renewable energy sector.
Net Metering
Senators approved a BillWednesday’s proposal would allow the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to approve pilot programs that allow small electricity producers to sell power to other buyers than an electric utility like Eversource and Unitil. Legislators SayThe bill is part of an expansion in net metering in New Hampshire.
The House is a BillThe proposal to increase the cap on how much electricity businesses and individuals can generate from net metering was submitted for further consideration. The cap would be increased from five megawatts to five megawatts. Municipalities currently have a cap.
Climate change
The house voted for a table BillThis would require that the Public Utilities Commission consider climate change when setting rates.
Pollutants
Cyanobacteria
The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted in favor BillTuesday’s order would direct the Department of Environmental Services of the state to develop a plan to stop the growth of harmful algal blooms called cyanobacteria, in New Hampshire waters.
Blue-green algae Cyanobacteria (or blue-green algae) can grow quickly in warm, slow-moving water rich in nutrients from fertilizer and sewage. The toxic alga can cause severe health issues for humans, such as rashes and problems with the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system. Cyanobacteria can cause severe illness and even death in dogs and other pets.
In New Hampshire, the first reports of cyanobacteria were made in the 1960s. State regulators created a new program in response to public concerns about the rising number of cyanobacterial blooms in 2020.
Granite Staters are asked by New Hampshire DES to call 603-848-8094 with any reports of cyanobacteria.
PFAS
A BillThis would define the term PFASTuesday’s House of Representatives vote approved a list of man-made chemicals which could be harmful to human life.
The bill would also allow for the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services, to adopt rules concerning airborne PFAS pollutants as long as at least one scientific research has shown that the chemical to be regulated is known to cause health effects in humans.
Research suggests that high levels may increase cholesterol, risk of certain cancers, as well as other adverse health effects.
Many New Hampshire communities are likely to have been exposed through contamination to PFAS chemicals at the Pease TradeportIn Portsmouth, through a manufacturing facility owned and operated by the company Saint-GobainMerrimack
Solid Waste
Plastic bags
A BillAfter a House committee, a bill that would allow New Hampshire municipalities to regulate single-use plastic bags and paper bags was presented for further discussion. VotedIt is not something I would recommend.
Compost
A BillThe House passed legislation that would allow municipalities to collect compostable materials from transfer stations if they are approved by the municipality.
Landfills
The House passed a BillThis would allow for the establishment of a formula as to how far from a body of water new landfills should not be built. The distance from the water source would be sufficient to keep contaminated groundwater and parts of the landfill away from the water body for five years.
